SMSU wrestling gets 3 through to nationals

February 25, 2013

Southwest Minnesota State University saw three individuals earn spots at the NCAA wrestling national tournament on Sunday.

Justin Reinsma, Jacob Begin and Kyle Begin will each represent the Mustangs in Birmingham, Ala., March 8-9 after placing in the top four at the NCAA Division II Super Regional in Waterloo, Iowa.

Kyle Begin entered the regional as the fourth seed at 174 pounds and a true freshmen, but snared top honors with a 4-0 record in the championship bracket.

Kyle's brother, Jacob, finished the day with a 2-1 record at 165, good enough for second place and a spot in the Division II national finals.

Justin Reinsma was defeated in the third-place match at 133 by Minnesota State-Mankato's Alphonse Vruno. The fourth-place finish and 3-2 record for Reinsma still earned the SMSU junior and Slayton native a spot in Birmingham.

Travis Peralta just missed out on a berth at the national finals, finishing in fifth place at 184 with a 3-2 record.

Fact Box

SMSU Individual Records

125-Ed Reno, 0-2

133-Justin Reinsma, 3-2

141-Devin Terry, 1-2

149-Beau Buysse, 0-2

157-Codie Lane, 1-2

165-Jacob Begin, 2-1

174-Kyle Begin, 4-0

184-Travis Peralta, 3-2

197-Micah Larson, 0-2

285-Jon Gorter, 0-2

Of the 130 wrestlers who competed on Sunday, only 40 advanced to the next round of the national tournament.